Material Safety Data Sheet: 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid

Identification

Product Name: 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid
Chemical Formula: C3H6O2S
CAS Number: 107-96-0
EC Number: 203-538-1
Synonyms: 3-MPA, β-Mercaptopropionic Acid, Thiolactic Acid
Recommended Use: Laboratory chemical, intermediate for pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitor; not for food, drug, or household use
Supplier: Contact details provided on company’s shipping documents
Emergency Contact: Refer to product label and shipping papers for emergency phone number

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Skin corrosion (Category 1B), Acute oral toxicity (Category 4), Serious eye damage (Category 1)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, Harmful if swallowed, Toxic to aquatic life
Pictogram(s): Corrosive, Exclamation mark, Environmental hazard
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors, wash hands thoroughly after handling, use personal protective equipment, avoid release into environment, take off contaminated clothing
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Symptoms: Burning of skin, eye damage, respiratory irritation, abdominal pain, nausea after ingestion

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid
Concentration: ≥97% by weight
Impurities: No significant hazardous impurities above prescribed limits
Molecular Weight: 106.14 g/mol
Structure: HS–CH2–CH2–COOH
Other Components: Trace organics from manufacturing, not contributing major hazards

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, keep at rest in position comfortable for breathing, seek immediate medical attention for breathing difficulty
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush affected skin with plenty of water for at least fifteen minutes, do not delay medical care for severe burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, get medical attention promptly
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek medical attention immediately
Acute Symptoms/Effects: Irritation, burns, stomach pain, vomiting, possible convulsions in severe poisoning
Special Advice to Doctors: Treat burns symptomatically and supportively, monitor for signs of respiratory distress

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use a high-pressure water jet directly on substance
Special Hazards: May emit toxic fumes of sulfur oxides and carbon oxides under fire conditions
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Firefighting Procedures: Move containers away from fire area if it can be done safely, use water spray to cool fire-exposed containers, avoid breathing smoke, prevent runoff from entering drains

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate, use appropriate personal protective equipment including gloves, goggles, and respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, sewer, basements, and confined areas; notify authorities when large spills threaten the environment
Containment and Cleanup: Absorb with inert material such as sand or vermiculite, collect into suitable containers for disposal, decontaminate spill area with soap and water, avoid contact with the skin during cleanup
Special Procedures: Neutralize residue with sodium bicarbonate if safe to do so, ensure all cleanup personnel are trained in proper techniques and hazard awareness

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Practices: Only handle in well-ventilated areas or fume hood, avoid inhalation or contact with skin and eyes, avoid rough handling or dropping containers, wash hands after use
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, keep in cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, keep container away from incompatible materials such as oxidizers and strong bases, avoid sunlight exposure
Container Materials: Use corrosion-resistant container with tight-fitting lid
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers, reducing agents
Specific Storage Advice: Label containers clearly, store away from food and beverages, keep away from untrained personnel

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: None established by OSHA, NIOSH, or ACGIH
Engineering Controls: Use with local exhaust ventilation, laboratory fume hood
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), splash-proof safety goggles, lab coat, closed-toe shoes, respiratory protection if airborne concentration is above recommended
Hygiene Measures: No eating, drinking, or smoking while handling material, wash hands before breaks and at end of shift
Environmental Controls: Prevent release to drains or surface water, store waste for proper disposal
Special Considerations: Keep emergency shower and eyewash station nearby in work area, change all contaminated clothing after handling

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Foul, strong, characteristic thiol (mercaptan) odor
Odor Threshold: Detectable at low concentration, pungent
pH: Acidic (aqueous solution)
Melting Point: 17 °C
Boiling Point: 94–96 °C at 15 mmHg
Flash Point: 102 °C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Not determined
Flammability: Not highly flammable, but combustible
Explosion Limits: Not established
Vapor Pressure: 0.2 mmHg at 25°C
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Density: 1.22 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohols, and some organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -0.19 (low potential for bioaccumulation)
Viscosity: Not established
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not available

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizing agents and strong bases
Hazardous Reactions: Exothermic reaction with alkalis and oxidizing substances, releases toxic gases with bleach or other chlorinating agents
Decomposition Products: Sulfur oxides, carbon oxides, hydrogen sulfide
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sunlight, moisture, contact with incompatible materials
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize under normal conditions

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 1140 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns and damage on contact
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes severe eye damage
Respiratory Sensitization: Irritation to respiratory tract upon inhalation
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: Not classified due to lack of data
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Reproductive Toxicity: Not established
Specific Target Organ Toxicity: No data
Chronic Effects: No known chronic hazard with normal use and adequate controls
Symptoms: Burns, blisters, coughing, vomiting, convulsions in high exposure

Ecological Information

Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environments
Aquatic Data: EC50 (Daphnia): 39 mg/L, 48 hours; LC50 (Fish, rainbow trout): 67 mg/L, 96 hours
Persistence and Degradability: Expected to be biodegradable under environmental conditions, but degradation products may be toxic
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low based on log Kow
Mobility in Soil: Readily mobile, may seep into groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: No information on ozone depletion, photochemical ozone creation
Environmental Precautions: Avoid discharging into drains and the aquatic environment

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Handle as hazardous waste, use licensed chemical waste disposal contractor
Product Disposal: Dispose through incineration in equipped facility, in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Container Disposal: Contaminated containers must be treated as hazardous, triple-rinse, dispose of by chemical waste contractor
Special Precautions: Do not mix with household waste or release into the environment, document all waste handling activities in compliance with company policy

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 3265
Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive liquid, acidic, organic, n.o.s. (3-Mercaptopropionic Acid)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant
Special Notes: Use appropriate packaging to prevent leaks, ensure correct hazard communication labeling, crew must have access to safety information during transport
Regulatory References: Check with ICAO/IATA (air), IMDG (sea), ADR/RID (road/rail) regulations for documentation and handling requirements

Regulatory Information

US Regulations: TSCA listed, subject to SARA Title III reporting if released in reportable quantity
Canadian Regulations: DSL listed, WHMIS classification D1B (toxic), E (corrosive)
European Regulations: Reach registered, classified according to CLP regulation; requires workplace training and risk minimization
International Chemical Inventory: Listed in AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan), IECSC (China), and other major inventories
Labeling Requirements: Corrosive pictogram, signal word, full hazard and precautionary statements as per GHS
Other State/Federal Regulations: May have specific workplace requirements under OSHA, state worker safety programs, local environmental control
User Responsibilities: Ensure compliance with all applicable regulation and safe use practices